Part 29 Shocking Truth

Khushi hugged Arnav tight, burying her tear-filled face into his chest. Her Arnav accepted her love. He chose her over his job, which was everything to him. It seemed she would die in happiness, but she didn't want to. She wanted to live with Arnav for a long time. She wanted to sleep every night, burying her face in his chest. She didn't know how long she stood hugging him. It was a pleasure that could not equal anything.

She thought something and stepped back, looking at him. Arnav also looked at her smilingly.

"Aren't you angry with me?" She asked, her voice held disbelief.

"Why would I be angry with you? You saved not only my job but also my respect and reputation. I would have been in jail if you hadn't taken such action on my behalf. You have no idea how I felt when Seema accused me. I literally died when I saw our principal in her house. I thought everything was over. I would not have come out of the accusation if you were not there for me. Even our principal hadn't trusted me, even though he knew me well. He thought no woman would lie in this matter. He himself said that. That would have been the biggest humiliation I had ever faced if I had been arrested or lost my job. But nothing happened... It's because of you. You reversed everything. Because of you, I can walk with my head up today. How could I be angry with you?"

"I can't believe it's all true..." Khushi smiled.

"Don't you trust me?" he smiled.

"How could I trust when I know you well?"

He rolled his eyes, smiling.

"What do you want me to do to make you trust me?"

"Pinch me..." She said.

"What?" He frowned.

"Pinch me, then only I can believe it's not a dream..."

Arnav pinched her knuckle, slightly, expecting her to hiss, but she smiled as she felt the pain because it was not a dream. Arnav was genuinely ready to marry her.

"Isn't it aching?" he asked.

She nodded no.

"Really? Do you want me to pinch you again?"

"It didn't ache because I felt the pain... Because this is not a dream," She said.

He nodded his head from left to right.

"No doubt, you are absolutely crazy..." He smiled.

"What to do? I still can't believe this..."

"Oh, really? Wait..."

He removed his phone and dialled a number. Khushi had no idea who he was calling. She waited, looking at him eagerly, as he also looked at her, keeping the phone to his ear. The call was attended.

"Hello, papa..." He said, and Khushi widened her eyes in surprise.

Did he call his father? Was he going to tell him his decision?

"I'm fine. Yeah, she is also fine. There is no fever now." He said that surprised her even more. Did he tell his father about her health condition already?

"I'm at her place only. Of course, you can ask your DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. " He said, looking at her, who was in shock.

Khushi heard her heartbeat clearly. He addressed her DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. That meant he had already told his father his decision, it seemed. She was undoubtedly on cloud nine.

"She didn't come to college. So, I came to meet her."

"....."

"No... It's a working day only. I got permission to meet Khushi." He smiled mildly.

It not only surprised Khushi but also would have surprised Arvind.

"....."

Arnav smiled, not answering his father. Khushi didn't know what he asked.

"One minute..." He passed his phone to Khushi.

She looked at his phone and him. He gestured for her to talk. Taking the phone, she said,

"Hello..."

"Hi, Khushi beta, how are you? Chotte said you had a fever..."

"I'm fine now, uncle..."

"I can't believe Chotte got permission to meet you. He never skips classes; you know?"

"I know, uncle..." she smiled.

"Congratulations..."

"Congratulations for?"

"For the achievement... you made my son flat..."

Khushi smiled, closing her eyes.

"I didn't expect it would happen soon..."

"I, too, didn't expect it, uncle. It's all because of your blessings..."

"God bless both of you..."

"Thank you, uncle."

"By the way, when is your marriage?"

Khushi hiccupped. Marriage? She looked at Arnav, who raised his brows.

"Uncle, it's better you ask him."

Khushi passed the phone to Arnav.

"What, Papa?"

"I asked her when your marriage..."

Arnav smiled.

"I hope you will invite me..."

"Papa..."

"Of course, you invite me, but who knows when and how the situation will change anything?"

"Whatever, you should be present at our marriage."

"Mmm... I will try. Take care of my daughter-in-law. Bye..."

"Bye..."

He disconnected the call.

"When is our marriage?" Khushi asked, controlling her smile.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"This is why I didn't want you to know my decision... You little Goblin..."

Khushi chuckled.

"Come to the college..."

She pouted.

"Will you?"

"Mmm... Are you going to resign?"

He nodded yes.

"Why Arnie? Is it necessary?"

"Yes. Students will take it as an advantage. I don't want it to happen."

She nodded, sighing.

"Won't you ask me what I will do after resigning from the job?"

"You will have a plan. I know..."

"Mmm... I'm planning to take Bank exams..."

"Good idea..."

"Khushi, don't you think this is too stupid?"

"Why?"

"I'm an English Professor, I'm planning to take Bank exams... and you are saying it's a good idea."

"Arnie, you didn't say you are going to GIVE exams, but PLANNING to take Bank exams. That means you would have decided to go to the coaching centre to get prepared. Right?"

Arnav was dumbfounded.

"Wow...you are so brilliant..."

She slightly bowed.

"Until I resign from the job, you should be like a good girl. Ok?"

"What after that? Don't you want me to be a good girl after that?"

Arnav was supposed to say something, but he stopped as they heard a footstep. Arnav saw a woman in her fifties coming with a vegetable basket. He understood she must be Khushi's aunt. He saw a sudden tension in Khushi's eyes. She smiled at him awkwardly. Before Arnav said anything,

"Namaste, sir..." The woman greeted him.

Arnav wondered. Instead of asking him who he was, she greeted him. Did she know him? But how? They never met before!

"Do you know me?" He asked.

"Of course, you are Professor Arnav..."

"How do you know me?"

"I saw your photo..." she said, looking at Khushi.

Arnav looked at Khushi, surprised. Didn't Khushi say her aunt was so strict? Then, how did she find out about him? He was certain Khushi was the one who had told her aunt about him.

"Mmm... You know me. That's nice. Your niece didn't come to college for two days. Being her aunt, didn't you ask her anything? Wouldn't you think of sending her to college? She is here to study. Her parents left her here because they trust you. Aren't you accountable for answering her parents?" He asked her, and her answer confused him.

"I'm not aunty... I can't be..." She said calmly.

"What do you mean...?" Arnav glanced at her.

She looked at Khushi, who gulped hard and nodded her head from left to right.

"I'm sorry, Madam... please don't stop me. I will surely tell him about you." Maria said pleadingly.

Arnav looked at Khushi with confusion.

"What are you talking about? Why are you calling her MADAM? Who are you if you are not her aunt?"

"She is my MADAM because I'm her servant. She has no one..."

"Maria..." Khushi tried to stop her.

"Please, madam... Let me tell him. Don't you think he has to know the truth...?"

"What truth? What are you talking about? Tell me who you are?"

"I'm her servant."

"But, she said, she stays with her aunt..."

"She has no aunty..."

"Where are her parents then? Why did they leave her with you?" Arnav asked.

Without answering, Maria held his wrist and took him to the last room of the corridor. Arnav went with her, and Khushi followed, taking slow steps. Arnav saw a couple's photo with a Garland. He looked at Maria, frowning.

"Who are they?"

"They are her parents. They are no more." She said, shocking him.

To be continued...